Three changes for Bruce
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made three changes from the side beaten at Manchester United for the visit of Rafael Benitez’s side.
Central defender Matthew Upson and former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey had recovered from injury and replaced Martin Taylor and Robbie Blake respectively.
Stephen Clemence, who had been unavailable at Old Trafford because of the birth of his first son, came in for Mehdi Nafti in midfield.
Benitez opted to make only the one alteration from the line-up which had disposed of Fulham 3-1 and that was enforced.
Luis Garcia was suspended after incurring five bookings and Dietmar Hamann came back into the side in a rejigged midfield formation.
Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Pennant, Johnson, Clemence, Gray, Heskey, Pandiani. Subs: Tebily, Blake, Bennett, Morrison, Nafti.
Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Baros, Hamann, Gerrard, Biscan, Riise, Morientes. Subs: Smicer, Pellegrino, Warnock, Nunez, Carson.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)
